Who is Geoff Duncan?
• First elected to the District 26 state Rep. seat in 2012, was re-elected to second and third terms in 2014 and 2016
• He and his wife, Brooke, have three sons, live in south Forsyth and attend Browns Bridge Community Church
• He is a member of several state House committees, including Banks and Banking, Science and Technology and Ways and Means. He is also secretary of the Interstate Cooperation and Information and Audits committees
• He is a graduate of Chattahoochee High School in Alpharetta and was a scholarship pitcher for Georgia Tech and played in the 1994 College World Series
• Following his junior season, he played six seasons in the then-Florida Marlins farm system, where he reached the AAA level
• He is CEO of Wellview Health Inc., which helps consumers navigate health care options
NORTH FORSYTH -- District 26 state Rep. Geoff Duncan has filed paperwork to be Georgia’s next lieutenant governor.
Duncan, a Republican who represents east and northeast Forsyth, said he decided with his family to pursue the seat and has been getting positive responses across the state. The seat will be decided in 2018.
“The Duncans are excited about this next chapter in our life. It’s going to be a long 18-month journey, but we’re ready for the challenge,” Duncan said. “I think the encouragement we’ve gotten from around the state in the last six months has been very encouraging, and I think the folks are wanting to see folks step up to run for these leadership positions that have policy in mind and not politics in mind.”
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The race for lieutenant governor
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In Georgia, the lieutenant governor is president of the state Senate and next in line if the governor leaves office before the term ends. Unlike the vice president and lieutenant governors of other states, Georgia’s position is not elected with the governor.
Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle filled out paperwork this week to run for governor, and Duncan declared for Cagle’s seat.
“In anticipation of that open seat, we have filed the same paperwork and have started campaigning; we’ve started to go around the state and talked with stakeholders,” he said. “We started minutes after we filed the paperwork; we’ve been fielding calls and requests and speaking opportunities all over the state and continuing to make contact with as many key stakeholders across the state.
“I’m very, very encouraged with the response we’re getting. We know … essentially to be effective in this you’ve got to run a marathon at a sprinter’s pace.”
State rules do not allow Duncan to run for both lieutenant governor and state representative. Duncan said he will serve the remainder of his two-year term as state representative. His seat will be up for election in 2018.
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Duncan’s platform
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Duncan said if elected he wants to allow good policy to positively impact the state’s residents and businesses.
“I think there is going to be an opportunity to really champion process and procedures,” he said. “One thing that Geoff Duncan as the lieutenant governor would be there to allow good policy ideas to come in and be fully-vetted by the Senate and by hardworking Georgians and hopefully getting those ideas across the finish line.”
He said that if he is elected, it will be a chance to show the entire state the conservative principles of Forsyth.
“I think we get so many things right in Forsyth County – we tackle our problems with conservative solutions,” Duncan said. “I get to hit the campaign trail in 158 other counties to show them the hard work that we’re doing in Forsyth County. We educate our kids at a standard that is off the charts, and I’m very proud of that.”
Outside of Forsyth, Duncan said he has sought to improve the state through legislation, including: the Cargo Theft Act, which imposes penalties, including prison time and lofty fines, based on the value of theft; Michael’s Law, a law named after slain South Forsyth High School graduate and Georgia Southern University student Michael Gatto that puts restrictions on bars aimed at curbing underage drinking; and a rural healthcare bill, which increases the amount of money residents who donate to rural hospitals can get back in tax credits.